Sometime in 2014, if all goes according to plan, Neuse Boulevard will become the best driving street in New Bern.

Not only will it have a freshly paved surface, it will have a spiffy new Walmart that is easier to get into and out of than the bigger, congested one on the MLK. And it will sell gas, groceries, and pharmaceuticals, too.

Plus the hospital, a nice selection of fast-food and sit-down restaurants, and a growing inventory of retail and service locations, not to mention a Dunkiní Donuts ó you get the idea ó Neuse Boulevard is reemerging as a major commercial corridor for the city.

Meanwhile, on New Bernís westside, Craven Thirty lies dormant, waiting for a critical mass of commercial contracts to make it worth laying down streets and sidewalks. A lot of folks are keeping an eye on Craven Thirty, not the least of which is Kinston, where, as one community figure there told me, Craven Thirty will be the last nail in the coffin for Kinstonís struggling Vernon Park Mall.

On New Bernís southside, Carolina Colours has plans for a shopping center anchored by a Harris Teeter, which would be New Bernís second.

Time will tell, of course, whether we see any of that take shape in 2014 ó except a repaved Neuse Boulevard, which we all look forward to.

By that time Neuse Boulevard is refreshed, New Bern motorists will begin complaining about some other main thoroughfare in need of resurfacing. Following recent winter storms and all the potholes that resulted, there are plenty of streets to choose from.

Thanks for letting me take up some of your Sunday morning.

Randy Foster is editor of the Sun Journal. He can be reached at randy.foster@newbernsj.com or 252-635-5663 or follow him on Twitter @rivereditor.